pipemakersforum.com

A bench grinder, unless it is adjustable speed, will be way too fast IMHO. I'd prefer 1725RPM or even less, maybe 1200rpm. Also, a bench grinder, while it may work, won't be ideal. I've found them to be lacking low-end torque in many cases, especially the 3450RPM versions. I have 2 spare headstocks ...

Could you post a picture of what you're making, maybe that will get you the help you need.

I think I k now what you're speaking of, but I'd like to be sure before I go and give an answer.

Beautiful! I too like the "real" look yours has. It looks like a piece of surplus ammo, and I thought it was at first! I didn't think the hole in the end was large enough for a ink tip to fit through. Those .50's are deceptively large. I've made some of those myself (something similar anyw...

Thank you very much! I still have some of that Black Cherry Burl left (from the same block actually), and I do sell pens! 8) I actually still have that pen, well sort of. My girl loved it so much I couldn't bring myself to sell it. But she loves it so much she doesn't dare to use it for fear of losi...

You should make a chess set, you have turning skills. Funny you say that, as I actually started one some time ago! I never did finish it, as my abilities weren't up to par at the time, and I still need some more practice before I feel I'm ready. I have all the materials, and most of the "templ...

To anyone interested, I make and sell woodturning tools that use the carbide inserts, similar to those sold by EasyWood Tools. I make both round and square bar tools, with round, square, triangle, diamond or square with a radius on the cutting edge (like EasyWood's R2 or R4 insert) carbide inserts. ...

Here are just a few of the pens I've turned. I've been selling pens for a few years now, and I've made more than I care to think about. These are just a few whose pictures stood out (or were on my laptop!) First, is a Cigar Pen in Blue "Crushed-Velvet" Acrylic http://i557.photobucket.com/a...

I made these back a few months ago. They were my first attempts and I have since improved a good bit on design. The stand I made as these were sold at a local tobacconist and I needed to provide my own display. The first pic is a walnut tamp with spun aluminum base (my first time spinning, I now use...

Wow, I see we share similar ideas! I made a couple tamps on the same principle a few moths back (before I belonged to the forum). I like yours a lot, especially the blue acrylic piece, it's very nice! What did you do with the primers? Did you just leave them in place? I left them on the first few I ...

That's sweet. I love model railroads. I have a ton of model railroad stuff tucked away at my father's that was given to me when I was very young. I plan to set up something like you have there eventually. But, sadly, I don't have room for it where I live now. Someday!

That's pretty neat! I've been doing something similar with a stainless steel rod encased in my tamps, but I'd never thought of using a stem for a tamp.

I did a couple searches for sandblasting, what media to use, pressure, nozzle size, and I've not really found a whole lot (maybe I just suck using the search?) Anyway, I have a small benchtop blast cabinet (JobSmart model#JSSBC90) that I bought for other uses, and it does work well. But, I've always...

I like the first pipe ("Arundel") myself. But, I love Bulldogs, so that is no surprise to me.

They're all really nice though, incredible craftsmanship.

Thanks, that's basically what I do now. I'd just like to know if my shapes are close to what I'm looking for. From what I can tell from others I've seen in the past, I'm not too far off. But some professional opinions would make me feel a bit better and be more confident. Thanks again Kenny I did PM...

Are Sherline lathes US made? I know they're small, but they may do the trick. I think they're larger than a Taig, and they're supposed to be very precise machines too, and easily upgraded to CNC, although I doubt that's of concern. Jens is right though, there are very few US manufacturers left, of a...

Have you ever tried metal spinning? I've never tried it with silver, but it should work just fine. You could make a template the diameter you'd like the tamper base to be, spin the silver over it and form a cup, then epoxy that onto the tamper base. Or, if the tamper itself can be chucked into the l...

Whoa! I really like that! Looks awesome to me. I'd keep it for sure!

I've never seen anything quite like it, just a really neat pipe. I really do like that.

This is something I've always wondered about, where do you all get the shape and/or templates to grind your spade bits? Do you just come up with a shape that looks good and go with it, or is there something specific I should be shooting for? My first bit was just rounded on the end, as it was for a ...

Thanks for the kind words. The stem didn't come out as planned, to be honest. I used that red ring on my previous attempt, which failed. But I liked it, so I drilled out the tenon and reused it. Then I goofed on the gluing on this stem. I was concerned with the adhesion of the delrin tenon, so I use...

I know this post is old, but having some experience with this type of power carver, I'll add my cent and a half's worth of input. First off, if you want to carve free-form pipes in a hurry this little guy is the ticket! I'm sure you could use it for more traditional shapes too, but I think free-form...